TORONTO — Sean Avery started again at the opening faceoff, this time by pestering Phil Kessel.

He kept it up on nearly every one of his dozen shifts, making contact outside the crease with goaltender Jonas Gustavsson while setting a screen; giving and taking hits; becoming involved in a verbal exchange with Dion Phaneuf; and drawing a second-period penalty on Kessel that marked the 10th time in the last seven games he’s been responsible for a Rangers’ power play, as opposed to one against.

But it came to an end at 12:45 of the second period last night when Avery sustained a right knee injury going into the end boards in a collision with Luke Schenn while chasing to negate an icing following a long Chris Drury pass. Neither player was able to touch the puck as play continued.

Avery was unable to put any pressure on his left leg, getting to the bench on one skate. Unable to return, his availability is questionable for Tuesday’s match at the Coliseum against the Islanders.

“Sean has been playing his best hockey of the year,” coach John Tortorella said following the 3-2 OT defeat to the Maple Leafs. “It’s a tough break, not only for him, but more importantly for the hockey club.”

Oddly enough, Ryan Callahan originally sustained the right knee injury that sidelined him last night on an icing race collision with Zdeno Chara in Boston last Sunday. Callahan was able to play the next two games before aggravating the injury during the second period of Thursday night’s victory in New Jersey.

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The Rangers are 1-7 in four-on-four overtime this season. When Tortorella was asked following the game by MSG-TV if he could explain the futility, the coach responded, “I’m not going to explain it to you.”

Anders Eriksson played capably in 14:08, paired on the right side at even-strength with Wade Redden while getting second power play unit time on the point after stepping into the lineup to replace the scratched Matt Gilroy.

The 35-year-old Eriksson, acquired at the deadline from Phoenix and recalled on Friday from the AHL Wolf Pack, had previously spent a few days with the Rangers on a 2005 training camp tryout.

Eriksson, seemingly a jovial sort of fellow, chuckled when it was suggested that this experience with the organization was more positive than that one.

“Oh, yes it is,” he said at the morning skate. “It’s been fun, and it’s fun to be here, so I’m trying to embrace the opportunity.

“Every time you get an opportunity, you want to see where it leads to. It’s a fun time to be here, with the team battling for a playoff spot. I just want to keep it simple and help any way I can.

“Back in ’05, I could see this was a great organization that’s first-class all the way. When I heard they wanted to trade for me, I jumped at the opportunity. Now here it is, so it’s pretty much up to me.”

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With Callahan and Brian Boyle (left foot) sidelined, Rangers used Brandon Prust on the second penalty kill unit with Artem Anisimov. Prust, who had not gotten a second of PK time with the Rangers after getting four seconds of time in Calgary, did fine.

Aaron Voros played well in his first game back in the lineup following 12 straight healthy scratches. Enver Lisin sat.

P.A. Parenteau, who had gone 13 straight games without a goal before being returned to Hartford on Dec. 15, scored in his first game back for a 1-0 first-period lead following Friday’s recall.